The HP Envy 17 offers a powerful combination of performance and a stunning 17-inch display, perfect for professionals, creators, and users who need a desktop-like experience in a portable form factor.

HP Envy 17: A Comprehensive Review

The HP Envy 17 is a laptop designed for users who need more than just portability. With its 17.3-inch display, powerful hardware, and premium build quality, it aims to provide a desktop-like experience in a laptop form. Whether you’re a creative professional, a multitasking power user, or someone who simply values screen space, the HP Envy 17 delivers a well-rounded package with the performance to match.

In this review, we’ll take a detailed look at the HP Envy 17’s design, performance, display quality, battery life, and much more. By the end, you’ll have a complete understanding of whether this laptop is the right choice for your needs. We’ll also provide insights into where to buy the HP Envy 17, including some of the best deals available.

Design and Build Quality: Premium and Professional

The HP Envy 17 stands out from the moment you lay eyes on it. With its large 17.3-inch screen, premium build quality, and sleek design, the Envy 17 is made for users who want a laptop that looks as powerful as it performs. The laptop’s size may make it less portable than smaller models, but for users who prioritize screen space and performance, it’s worth the trade-off.

Aluminum Chassis for a Premium Feel
The HP Envy 17 features a full aluminum chassis, giving it a high-end, premium feel. The silver finish is sleek and modern, with an understated elegance that makes it suitable for professional environments. The build quality is solid, with minimal flex in the chassis or keyboard deck, making it a durable option for daily use. The polished edges and clean lines give it a refined look, while the HP logo on the lid adds a touch of class.

Full-Sized Keyboard with Number Pad
One of the standout features of the HP Envy 17 is its full-sized keyboard, complete with a dedicated number pad. This is a huge advantage for users who frequently work with numbers, such as accountants, engineers, or students in STEM fields. The keys are well-spaced and offer a comfortable typing experience, with good travel and tactile feedback. The backlit keyboard makes it easy to type in low-light environments, whether you’re working late at night or in a dimly lit office.

Large, Responsive Trackpad
The trackpad on the HP Envy 17 is generously sized, making it easy to navigate across the large screen. It supports all the usual multi-touch gestures like two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, and three-finger swipes for switching between applications. The trackpad is smooth and responsive, providing precise control without any noticeable lag.

Portability Considerations
At 6 pounds, the HP Envy 17 is not the lightest laptop on the market. However, its weight is justified by the large screen and powerful hardware inside. For users who primarily work from home or in an office setting, the Envy 17 offers a great balance between desktop-like functionality and portability. While it may not be as easy to carry around as an ultrabook, it’s still portable enough for occasional travel or moving between workspaces.

Comparison with Competitors
When compared to other large-screen laptops like the Dell XPS 17 or Apple MacBook Pro 16, the HP Envy 17 offers a more affordable option without sacrificing too much in terms of build quality or performance. While it may be slightly heavier than some competitors, the Envy 17’s aluminum chassis and premium feel make it a standout choice for users who need a professional-looking laptop with desktop-level power.

Display Quality: A Stunning 17.3-Inch Full HD Display

The 17.3-inch display is the highlight of the HP Envy 17, offering a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This provides sharp and clear visuals, making it ideal for both work and entertainment. The large screen size allows for more screen real estate, making it easier to multitask, edit photos or videos, and work with multiple windows side by side.

IPS Technology for Wide Viewing Angles
The IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology ensures that the colors remain vibrant and accurate even when viewed from different angles. This is especially important for creative professionals who need consistent color reproduction across the screen. The wide viewing angles also make it easier to collaborate with others, as the screen looks great from any direction.

Color Accuracy for Creative Work
The HP Envy 17 is designed with creators in mind, offering excellent color accuracy that covers a significant portion of the sRGB color gamut. Whether you’re editing photos, working on graphic design projects, or creating videos, the Envy 17 provides the color precision needed for professional work. While it may not offer the same level of color accuracy as a 4K display, the Full HD resolution is more than sufficient for most creative tasks.

Bright and Clear for Media Consumption
With a brightness level of around 300 nits, the HP Envy 17 performs well in most indoor settings. Whether you’re watching movies, streaming videos, or working on documents, the screen remains bright and easy to read. While it may struggle in direct sunlight, the display’s brightness is more than adequate for typical indoor use.

Touchscreen Option Available
For users who prefer the convenience of a touchscreen, the HP Envy 17 also offers a touchscreen option. This feature makes it easier to interact with the laptop, especially for tasks like browsing, scrolling through documents, or making quick edits in creative software. The touchscreen is responsive and accurate, making it a valuable addition for users who like to have more control over their work.

Comparison with Competitors
When compared to other large-screen laptops like the Dell XPS 17 or the Lenovo Legion 5, the HP Envy 17 offers a competitive display. While it may not have the ultra-high resolution of some 4K models, its Full HD IPS display provides vibrant colors and sharp detail, making it an excellent choice for users who need a large, high-quality screen for work or entertainment.

Performance: Power for Professionals and Creatives

Under the hood, the HP Envy 17 is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor (also available with i5 configurations), making it a powerhouse for productivity, creative work, and even light gaming. Paired with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, the Envy 17 is designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease. Whether you’re editing videos, working on complex spreadsheets, or running multiple applications simultaneously, the Envy 17 delivers smooth and responsive performance.

Intel Core i7 for Demanding Tasks
The Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor offers plenty of power for users who need a laptop that can keep up with heavy workloads. Whether you’re editing high-resolution videos in Adobe Premiere Pro, working on large datasets in Excel, or running creative software like Photoshop, the HP Envy 17 handles it all without slowing down. The processor’s four cores and eight threads provide excellent multitasking performance, ensuring that the laptop can handle even the most demanding tasks.

NVIDIA GeForce MX450 for Creative Work and Light Gaming
For users who need more graphical power, the HP Envy 17 comes equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics card. While it’s not a high-end GPU designed for serious gaming or 3D rendering, the MX450 provides enough power for light gaming and creative tasks. You can comfortably run games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and Minecraft at medium settings, and the GPU also enhances the performance of creative applications like Adobe Lightroom and Premiere Pro.

1TB SSD for Fast Storage
The 1TB SSD provides ample storage for large files, media projects, and applications. Whether you’re storing high-resolution photos, videos, or design projects, the SSD ensures fast access to files and quick load times for applications. The SSD also contributes to faster boot times, allowing the laptop to start up in seconds and be ready for work without delay.

Real-World Performance
In real-world use, the HP Envy 17 delivers excellent performance across a range of tasks. From multitasking with several applications open at once to editing large media files, the laptop shows no signs of slowing down. The Intel Core i7 and 16GB of RAM ensure smooth operation, even when running resource-intensive applications. For professionals who need a laptop that can handle heavy workloads, the Envy 17 is more than up to the task.

Comparison with Competitors
When compared to similar laptops like the Dell XPS 17 or Apple MacBook Pro 16, the HP Envy 17 offers strong performance at a more affordable price point. While it may not have the raw power of a gaming laptop, its combination of the Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA GeForce MX450 makes it a great option for creative professionals and users who need a powerful laptop for work and light entertainment.

Battery Life: Reliable for Full Days of Work

Despite its large screen and powerful components, the HP Envy 17 delivers impressive battery life. On a full charge, the laptop can last up to 8 hours, depending on usage. This makes it suitable for users who need a laptop that can last through a full day of work, whether you’re working from home or commuting between meetings.

Battery Performance for Everyday Use
In typical use, the HP Envy 17’s battery life holds up well, delivering around 7-8 hours of moderate use. This includes tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming. For more demanding applications, such as video editing or gaming, the battery life may decrease to around 5-6 hours, but this is still impressive given the laptop’s large screen and powerful hardware.

Fast Charging for Quick Power Boosts
The HP Envy 17 supports fast charging, allowing the battery to charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes. This is a valuable feature for users who are constantly on the go and need a quick power boost during breaks. Whether you’re traveling or working remotely, fast charging ensures that you can get back to work without waiting for hours for the battery to recharge.

Optimizing Battery Life
For users who need to maximize battery life, enabling battery saver mode, reducing screen brightness, and closing unused applications can help extend usage time. These simple adjustments can make the difference between needing a charge mid-day or getting through the entire workday on a single charge.

Comparison with Competitors
When compared to other large-screen laptops like the Dell XPS 17 or the Apple MacBook Pro 16, the HP Envy 17 offers competitive battery life. While ultrabooks like the HP Spectre x360 may offer longer battery life due to their smaller screens and lower power consumption, the Envy 17 strikes a good balance between power and endurance.

Connectivity and Ports: A Versatile Range of Options

The HP Envy 17 comes equipped with a wide range of connectivity options, making it versatile enough to handle a variety of peripherals and external devices. The laptop includes:

• Two USB-A ports
• Two USB-C ports (one with Thunderbolt 4)
• HDMI output
• MicroSD card reader
• 3.5mm headphone jack

This variety of ports ensures that users can connect everything from external monitors to storage devices without the need for additional adapters.

Thunderbolt 4 for Fast Data Transfer
The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 support via one of the USB-C ports is a major advantage, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and the ability to connect to high-resolution external displays or even external GPUs. This makes the HP Envy 17 future-proof, especially for users who need to transfer large files or work with high-resolution displays.

HDMI and MicroSD Card Reader for Versatility
The HDMI output allows users to connect the laptop to an external monitor or projector, making it easy to share presentations or work on a larger screen. The MicroSD card reader is a bonus for photographers, videographers, and other creatives who need to quickly transfer files from cameras or other devices.

Comparison with Competitors
Compared to competitors like the Dell XPS 17 or Apple MacBook Pro, the HP Envy 17 offers a well-rounded selection of ports. While some high-end laptops have transitioned exclusively to USB-C, the Envy 17 provides a more versatile mix of USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI, making it convenient for users who need to connect to a wide variety of devices.

Audio and Webcam: Ready for Remote Work and Entertainment

The HP Envy 17 features Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers, providing clear and rich sound for both entertainment and productivity. Whether you’re streaming movies, listening to music, or participating in video calls, the speakers deliver high-quality audio that fills the room.

720p HD Webcam for Video Conferencing
The built-in 720p HD webcam provides clear video quality for video conferencing and virtual meetings. Whether you’re attending a Zoom call or a virtual class, the webcam delivers sharp visuals, making it easy to stay connected with colleagues and clients. The HP Privacy Camera Shutter provides additional security, allowing users to physically cover the webcam when it’s not in use.

Comparison with Competitors
When compared to similar laptops like the Dell XPS 17 or Lenovo Legion 5, the HP Envy 17 offers competitive audio and webcam features. The Bang & Olufsen speakers provide excellent sound quality, and the 720p webcam is more than adequate for most users. The inclusion of a privacy shutter is a thoughtful addition, giving users peace of mind when it comes to security.

Software and Features: Windows 11 and Enhanced Security

The HP Envy 17 comes pre-installed with Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest operating system. Windows 11 offers a more streamlined and intuitive user experience, with features like Snap Layouts and enhanced virtual desktops to improve productivity. For professionals and creatives, Windows 11 provides the tools needed to stay organized and efficient.

Windows Hello for Secure Login
The HP Envy 17 includes Windows Hello, allowing users to log in using facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. This provides a fast and secure way to unlock the laptop, ensuring that only authorized users can access the device. For professionals who handle sensitive data, Windows Hello adds an extra layer of security.

HP Wolf Security for Enhanced Protection
HP’s Wolf Security platform is built into the Envy 17, providing protection against malware and cyber threats. For users who frequently work with sensitive information or connect to public networks, HP Wolf Security provides peace of mind by safeguarding against potential security breaches.

Where to Buy the HP Envy 17

The HP Envy 17 is available from a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg, and HP’s official website. Prices typically range from $1,200 to $1,600, depending on the configuration and any ongoing sales or promotions.

• Amazon: Offers fast shipping options and competitive pricing, often with discounts during major sales events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
• Best Buy: Provides in-store pickup and financing options, making it easy for customers to purchase the HP Envy 17 in person or online.
• Newegg: Known for tech deals, Newegg often offers discounts on the HP Envy 17, especially for power users and creatives.
• HP Official Website: Purchasing directly from HP offers the advantage of customizing the laptop’s configuration, and HP often includes extended warranties and accessories with direct purchases.

It’s worth checking each retailer for ongoing promotions, as discounts and bundles are frequently available during holiday sales or back-to-school seasons.

A Powerful Laptop for Creators and Professionals

The HP Envy 17 is a powerful, versatile laptop that offers a large display, solid performance, and premium design. Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, or someone who simply values screen space and multitasking capabilities, the Envy 17 provides a desktop-like experience in a portable form factor. With its Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA graphics, and 17.3-inch display, it’s an excellent choice for users who need a laptop that can handle demanding workloads.

If you’re in the market for a large-screen laptop that combines power, performance, and style, the HP Envy 17 is a top contender. Available at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg, it offers great value for professionals and creatives alike.